Local Agency Formation Commission of Napa County

December 7, 2009 Special Meeting

ISLAND ANNEXATION PROGRAMISLAND ANNEXATION PROGRAM

Presentation outlining an island Presentation outlining an island annexation program to eliminate annexation program to eliminate unincorporated areas entirely or unincorporated areas entirely or substantially surrounded by Napa substantially surrounded by Napa

PRESENTATION TOPICSPRESENTATION TOPICS

BACKGROUND BACKGROUND

• Definitions: (a) entirely and (b) substantially surrounded

• Causes and concerns• Legislation incentives

LOCAL ISLANDS

• Where they are: Napa, Napa, and Napa… • What LAFCO has done to eliminate islands• What LAFCO can do to eliminate islands

ISLAND ANNEXATION PROGRAM • Outlining a strategy • Commissioner input

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS

• Entirely surrounded (objective; you know it when you see it)

• Substantially surrounded (subjective; you need to

define it to see it)

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

CAUSES AND CONCERNS CAUSES AND CONCERNS

• The causes…

- leap frog development due to (a) economic and (b) social factors

- political considerations

• The concerns…

- disorderly growth (densities, uses, and connectivity)

- inefficient municipal service provision (public safety) - unfunded demand on city services (parks, libraries,

etc.)

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

LEGISLATION INCENTIVESLEGISLATION INCENTIVES

• 2000 (AB 2838) - established provisions empowering LAFCOs to annex

entirely or substantially surrounded islands w/in cities w/out protest hearings- does not apply to land qualifying as prime agriculture

- set sunset date to 1/1/2005

• 2005 (SB 1266) - extended the sunset date to 1/1/2014 - expanded size restriction from 75 to 150 acres

• 2008 (AB 3047) - clarified reorganizations are subject to island

annexations

LOCAL ISLANDS LOCAL ISLANDS

WHERE THEY ARE WHERE THEY ARE

• Napa, Napa, and Napa:

There are 10 islands entirely surrounded by Napa. These islands comprise 617 parcels/143 acres with an est. population of 1,573.

There are 9 islands substantially surrounded by Napa as defined by the Commission; 66.7% or greater. These islands comprise 288 parcels/196 acres with an est. population of 736.

There are 6 additional islands qualifying as substantially surrounded by Napa if definition is lowered to 50.1%. These islands comprise 55 parcels/118 acres with an est. population of 135.

Grand totals: 960 parcels/457 acres/2,444 residents

LOCAL ISLANDSLOCAL ISLANDS

WHAT LAFCO HAS DONE TO ELIMINATE ISLANDSWHAT LAFCO HAS DONE TO ELIMINATE ISLANDS

• Financial incentive:

LAFCO’s fee schedule for island annexations is $500.00. Non-island annexation fees range from $3,708 to $6,180.

• Increase eligibility:

LAFCO defines substantially surrounded as land bordered by at least 66.7% of the affected city.

• Encourage Napa:

LAFCO has increasingly expressed desire for Napa to expand proposals to eliminate islands rather than pursue incremental reductions.

LOCAL ISLANDSLOCAL ISLANDS

WHAT LAFCO CAN DO TO ELIMINATE ISLANDS WHAT LAFCO CAN DO TO ELIMINATE ISLANDS

• Further financial incentive:

LAFCO could reduce or eliminate the fee for island annexations.

• Further increase eligibility:

LAFCO could expand the substantially surrounded definition from 66.7% to 50.1%.

• Modify proposals:

LAFCO could modify proposals to eliminate islands, but would trigger protest hearings.

• Impose conditions:

LAFCO could require Napa to propose annexation of islands as a precondition to considering other non-island annexations.

LOCAL ISLANDSLOCAL ISLANDS

WHAT LAFCO CAN DO TO ELIMINATE WHAT LAFCO CAN DO TO ELIMINATE ISLANDS ISLANDS

• Establish an island annexation program…

PROPOSED ISLAND ANNEXATION PROPOSED ISLAND ANNEXATION PROGRAMPROGRAM

OUTLINING A STRATEGY OUTLINING A STRATEGY

• Beginning steps:

1) Secure commitment from Napa and County to work with LAFCO to eliminate as many islands as feasible before the 2014 deadline.

2) Prepare and circulate flyer to affected landowners and residents regarding benefits of annexation and extending invitations to a date-specified community meeting.

3) Conduct two-staged community meetings within each island. The first meeting would be with LAFCO staff narrating benefits and the process while soliciting specific feedback. Second meeting would involve LAFCO, Napa, and perhaps County staff to address specific issues raised during initial meeting.

LOCAL ISLANDSLOCAL ISLANDS

WHAT LAFCO CAN DO TO ELIMINATE WHAT LAFCO CAN DO TO ELIMINATE ISLANDSISLANDS

Dispelling cost myths … Category Napa County Difference

Paramedic Tax

$37.50 N/A $37.50

Storm Water Fee

$12.00 N/A $12.00

Water Service $369.56 $521.95 $152.39

Sewer Service $421.00 $421.00 -

Garbage Service

$395.28 $296.64 $98.64

NET ANNUAL COST DIFFERENCE AFTER ANNEXATION: $4.25

PROPOSED ISLAND ANNEXATION PROPOSED ISLAND ANNEXATION PROGRAMPROGRAM

OUTLINING A STRATEGY OUTLINING A STRATEGY

• Following steps:

(a) Return to the Commission and discuss results of community outreach with Napa and the County.

(b) Commission evaluate and determine if there is sufficient interest to invest additional resources in going forward with actual proposals.

PROPOSED ISLAND ANNEXATION PROPOSED ISLAND ANNEXATION PROGRAMPROGRAM

COMMISSIONER INPUT COMMISSIONER INPUT

• Positives• Concerns• Should staff go forward with community outreach?